Red Bull is characterized by its unique and catchy slogan “gives you wings”, however, what they do not mention is at what cost. Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar are just but a few of the numerous and varied brands of energy drinks. In truth, the non-alcoholics energy drinks’ industry is booming in America this is evidenced by its valuation of $ 39 billion (Research and Markets, 2015). This industry is expected to rise steeply to $61 billion by 2021. This highlights that Americans cannot get enough of these energy-packed drinks. To say energy drinks are popular might be more less an understatement; however, do consumers (the American people) really understand the dangers of such substances?
In truth, energy drinks are rarely dangerous if only one bottle is consumed, nonetheless, this quickly shifts when a number are taken. According to Peacock, Martin and Carr non-alcoholic energy drinks depend heavily on caffeine so as to create their “energy” effect (2013). Unfortunately, caffeine just like alcohol is a very addictive substance. Thereby, non-alcoholic energy drinks can result in people getting addicted to them. In retrospect, consumers of these energy drinks often buy in bulk or continuously rather than make unitary purchases from time to time. Addiction is rarely a good thing regardless of the cause of addiction. When it comes to energy drinks, addiction opens a variety of dangers which will be discussed later and moreover financial stress. Energy drinks may go for anything in the range of $1-$5; however, constant purchases may seem quite costly in the future (Research & Markets, 2015). What’s more, if addiction is acknowledged by the individual and he/she tries to stop withdrawal symptoms are bound to follow. Such symptoms may include anxiety, jitteriness, and restlessness which may lead to the person consuming even more non-alcoholic energy drinks (Howland & Rohsenow, 2013). As such one of the major perils of non-alcoholic drinks is that they result in addiction.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Furthermore, energy drinks put on negative stress towards the heart. From time to time, it will be heard that a person died from consuming a particular brand of energy drinks. In the defense of these manufacturers, such persons often drank way too much than what is considered normal. However, it is imperative to point out that the high caffeine content and other substances in energy drinks force the body and particularly the heart to react in accordance with the new alterations in the body. On consumption of energy drinks the heart is forced to make more forceful contractions which may be perilous to individuals with preexisting hear conditions (Howland & Rohsenow, 2013. Moreover, as it was mentioned earlier energy drinks can lead to addiction and in the case where an individual takes one drink too many fatal conditions such as poisoning and cardiac arrests start becoming possibilities. The condition of one’s heart is far much more valuable than any energy drink.
Additionally, consumption of non-alcoholic drinks may result in sleep deprivation and other sleep disorders. Energy drinks work in such a way that after consumption the body is made alert for a significant amount of time. More often than not people consume these substances at night for different reasons. This has the effect of distorting one’s sleeping pattern which may result in sleep deprivation during the day and insomnia during the night (Peacock, Martin & Carr, 2013). Sleep deprivation may furthermore result in further energy drink consumption during the day which as has been shown may lead to addiction. Sleep deprivation and insomnia have other effects i.e. they accelerate fatigue which thus creates laxity and decreased work productivity. It is surprising how non-alcoholic drinks may lead one to crave the thing he/she wanted to avoid by their consumption i.e. sleep.
On the contrary, it is prudent to acknowledge the benefits of non-alcoholic energy drinks. Primarily, such drinks are targeted at individuals who require an additional push to complete tasks when tired and/or sleepy. This often encompasses individuals who have to work late into the night. For instance, when one has a deadline coming up soon consumption of one energy drink may do more good than harm. In truth, taking one drink a day and even less frequently during such tedious times can be said to be beneficial. However, it is important to highlight that there are numerous cheaper and healthier ways to stay alert even when the body is fatigued. An individual could bathe in cold or chilly water, drink a lot of water, take a short walk outside, take a nap, do non-exhausting exercises e.g. a few pushups and even take a nap if need be (Howland & Rohsenow, 2013). All of these alternatives may not be effective as energy drinks for longer durations of time; however, they possess no danger to the body which is all that matters in the long run.
To sum it all up, non-alcoholic energy drinks have more dangers than benefits. They can lead to addiction, heart failure, and sleep disorders just to name a few. Most of these perils often require an individual to consume extremely large amounts of energy drinks or for a long continuous duration. This often leads to people either subconsciously or vocally downplaying the detrimental effects of energy drinks. However, non-alcoholic energy drinks still remain popular not only in America but on a global scale. Which leaves one to wonder if these dangers were constantly and effectively availed would energy drinks still be as popular?
References
Howland, J., & Rohsenow, D. J. (2013). Risks of energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Jama , 309 (3), 245-246.
Peacock, A., Martin, F. H., & Carr, A. (2013). Energy drink ingredients. Contribution of caffeine and taurine to performance outcomes. Appetite, 64, 1-4.
Research and Markets. (2015). Global Energy Drinks Market 2015-2021: Insights, Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends Analysis and Forecasts for the $61 Billion Industry . Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-energy-drinks-market-2015-2021-insights-market-size-share-growth-trends-analysis-and-forecasts-for-the-61-billion-industry-300137637.html
